(Yuma, Arizona—October 21, 2003) The Office of Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced the arrest of 27 suspects in an on-going investigation of the Haro Drug Trafficking Organization. Last month, Assistant Attorney General Billie Rosen prosecuted ringleader Noel Haro on 17 counts involving marijuana, cocaine and money laundering. Haro was found guilty and was sentenced to 272 years in prison.

Today’s arrests are the result of a collaborative effort among the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assisting in the operation are the United States Marshal’s Service, Federal Protective Service, Southwest Border Alliance, Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Yuma Police Department.

This brings to a total of 76 the number of arrests in this case. Four of the individuals in the original roundup in January of 2002 are pending trial, charges were dismissed on two individuals and one remains a fugitive.

Assistant Attorneys General Billie Rosen and Kristen Hoffmeyer handled the prosecution for the Attorney General’s Office. ICE, DEA and FBI agents did the investigative work.

“There are 76 fewer drug menaces on Arizona streets today because of this cooperative effort of State, Federal and local agencies,” said Rosen.

The defendants will be in court today in Yuma. They will be transferred to Maricopa County later today where they are scheduled to be in court on Thursday.